As a partner in the Real Estate Group, Jessica assists clients in developing the places people live, work, eat, play, and shop. Her practice focuses on the acquisition and disposition of real estate together with other governing documents, such as development agreements, ground leases, retail leases, restrictive covenants, and mall agreements. Jessica has extensive experience advising real estate investment trusts (REITs) on financing and sale-and-leaseback transactions and regularly represents clients’ real estate interests in stock purchase and asset purchase deals. In all cases, Jessica utilizes a solution-oriented, practical approach to help her clients achieve their business goals.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Representing retailer in the acquisition of several anchor store parcels throughout the country as part of a strategic expansion, including negotiating amendments to applicable mall agreements and other governing mall documents.
Representing real property investor in acquisition of property and negotiation of development agreement to develop property into a distribution warehouse facility for a leading snack foods company.
Acting as lead counsel for the owner of Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood Green development, including negotiating development agreements with a national developer, and preparing documentation to establish a property owners’ association and common area maintenance structure.
Representing retailer in the acquisition of several anchor store parcels throughout the country as part of a strategic expansion, including negotiating amendments to applicable mall agreements and other governing mall documents.
Representing real property investor in acquisition of property and negotiation of development agreement to develop property into a distribution warehouse facility for a leading snack foods company.
Acting as lead counsel for the owner of Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood Green development, including negotiating development agreements with a national developer, and preparing documentation to establish a property owners’ association and common area maintenance structure.
Acting as lead attorney for developer with respect to $61,000,000 construction and acquisition loan to acquire a package of five sports arena complexes
Acted as lead counsel to lender in a portion of a $218.5 million loan for the development of a 26-story, 560,000-square-foot office tower that monetized future tax abatement savings at the former site of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ home arena.
Acting as lead counsel for a national developer with respect to sales and reorganizations of shopping centers (and portions thereof).
Assisted in drafting and securing approval for new zoning text and map amendments for clients in the City of Pittsburgh and establishing client-friendly development standards.
Acting as lead counsel for a nationally recognized automobile repair company with respect to asset purchase contracts and corresponding lease agreements in several locations in California.
Represented REIT with the sale-and-leaseback of 20 auto centers located in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Represented REIT as lender with respect to a $35 million loan secured by mortgages on 13 properties.
Assisted REIT with internal reorganization of approximately 250 properties.
Recognitions
- Selected through peer review for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© Ones to Watch list for Real Estate Law, 2021-2025
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers – Pennsylvania Rising Star 2025-2026
Credentials
Education
Education
- University of Virginia School of Law, 2012, J.D., Virginia Sports and Entertainment Law Journal; Lile Moot Court Competition
- Pennsylvania State University, 2009, B.S., Finance, Legal Environment of Business minor, with high distinction
- Pennsylvania State University, 2009, B.A., History, with distinction
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- Pennsylvania
Court admissions
Court admissions
- State Supreme Court - Pennsylvania
News
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